You Think It's Snowy Here? 
Nepa Gets More Snow Than Say, Siberia, But Only Gets A Speck Of What Mt.
Ranier Gets.

Patriot Act gives rise to activists' suspicions

Tuesday, January 27, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





They operate in the shadows, relying on a network of unnamed advisers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The telephone, the straw vote, the solicitor-in-the-pocket and the
unannounced meeting are the tools of their trade. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They sound like secret agents, but they're not. They're the Luzerne County
majority commissioners - the new ones - and they've already learned how to
manipulate and malign the state's open meeting law to suit their needs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I thought Greg Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid would bring openness to county
government, but maybe I was wrong. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Due to recent developments, I'm starting to regret calling them the
Sunshine Boys. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Last week, the full board met with two community groups in an unadvertised
session. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And they attempted to meet as a board to draft a meeting agenda. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And they agreed to hire an attorney after a late-night telephone vote on
the eve of the court case. (``To vote `yes,' press 1 now'' has been the
running joke in the newsroom.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To summarize, the majority commissioners have been a bigger disappointment
than BETA, the new Coke and ``Gigli'' combined. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Watching for signs &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Skreperheid was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde last week. Like a double
agent. Like a Boy Scout who helps an old lady across the street, then beats
her with her own cane. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The commissioners broke ranks, clearly and decisively, with the old
political guard when they jettisoned Joyce, Jackman and Bell as the county's
insurance broker of record, clearing the way for competitive bidding. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And they kept a campaign promise by holding a Board of Commissioners'
meeting in the evening, giving the working person a chance to attend. (Now
they need to change the starting time to 7 p.m. so the working person has time
to eat supper.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But before we could applaud they turn around and hire a couple of
contributors as county solicitors, proving that while you can't buy a job with
a campaign contribution, it certainly doesn't hurt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In all honesty, I thought these kind of shenanigans would cease when
Skreperheid took office, because Skreperheid said it would cease. I took them
at their word, because they lack a political track record, and all we have is
their word. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As it turns out, I would have been better off judging their future actions
based on their old jobs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Skrep was a professional football player. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He comes from a world where you make hurried decisions in private huddles.
Where you keep the game plan a secret. Where you guard the playbook with your
life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vonderheid was an economic development dude. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In his profession, you wine and dine your prospects. Silence is golden. And
the press isn't summoned until the deal is done. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now, they're struggling with their new job descriptions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The verdict is still out on Skreperheid, but the evidence is mounting. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe they'll balance the budget and cancel the tax increase and memorize
the Sunshine Law and turn this county around. Or maybe they won't. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As commissioners, their jobs amount to a four-year trial, and it's just
getting started. But the jury is seated, and listening. Watching too, but
mostly in disbelief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Call Jones at 829-7215 or e-mail caseyj@leader.net &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A New Team But Same Old Uneasy Feeling